Friday, 7 July 2017

Igbo quit notice: Can FG avert danger?

The quit notice issued to the Igbo by coalition of Northern youths under the aegis of Arewa Youth Forum, has continued to generate controversy in various areas leaving many Nigerians uncertain whether the federal; government would be able to avert danger come October 1, deadline given to the Igbo to relocate. Blueprint speaks to some persons on the issue

Mark James Honestly, this threat is beyond what we can regard as a mere quit notice. Nigeria’s unity is on the verge of collapse. Leaders should not shy away from their responsibilities. We need to take a look at the cause of agitations by the Igbo.

Th ey complain of marginalization in government appointments, federal projects and other issues. Our authorities should bring them and other ethnic groups to a round table and dialogue on how the unity of Nigeria can be strengthened. As it is now, it is not only the Igbo who are agitating for secession. Th e recent threat by Arewa Youths Forum has provoked other ethnic groups to seek self-determination.

Victor John I must commend Acting President Yemi Osibanjo for taking bold steps towards restoring the unity of this country. He has gone through the length and breadth of this country to ensure that our unity is sustained. But more needs to be done. Osinbajo should continue to mobilize various stakeholders especially the Igbo traditional leaders and politicians to discuss how Igbo problem of marginalization can be addressed. I do not see reason why any ethnic group should be short-changed in any political appointment.

Th e Federal Character Commission has defi ned how appointments should be given to all Nigerians. I think there is need for our authorities to go back to the drawing board and check the excesses of some government institutions undermining the provisions of the federal character law. Mohammed Abdul When I heard of some northern leaders supporting the threat issued by Arewa Youth Forum I became sceptical about Nigeria’s unity. To start with, do we have peace in the core north?

Th e answer is no. Th e leaders in the north are only in power for their selfi sh interest. Th ey hide their children and relatives outside the country and come here to mobilize gullible youths in the north to incite violence. Th ey should solve the problems of the Boko Haram and stop supporting threats to our cooperate existence. V

ox pop The quit notice issued to the Igbo by coalition of Northern youths under the aegis of Arewa Youth Forum, has continued to generate controversy in various areas leaving many Nigerians uncertain whether the federal; government would be able to avert danger come October 1, deadline given to the Igbo to relocate.

Blueprint speaks to some persons on the issue. It is high time northern traditional rulers and religious leaders inculcate moral values into their children, give them the right education and integrate them into the wider society. Chidi Okafor For me, the government should implement all the provisions of the 2014 National Conference to tackle the challenges facing our unity

. Let us practice fi scal federalism and make eff ective use of natural resources deposited in every region of this country. If we restructure, agitations for secession would become a thing of the past. A true federal structure is the ideal system to boost the Nigerian economy and every ethnic group will have a sense of belonging. Th e Fulani herdsmen issue was extensively discussed in the 2014 national conference.

Yet no implementation has been made on any of the provisions. Th e Igbo would still remain in Nigeria if the necessary policies are implemented for the overall interest of all Nigerians. Edong Esit Hate speeches cannot lead us to the Nigeria of our dream. We do not want them.

They should be discouraged. I cannot imagine myself in the middle of crisis. Th ese people should pity their wives and children who are worst hit during crisis and ensure none of the threats is carried out. We should support the Acting President’ call for peace so that we can all carry our brothers and sisters from other regions along. We have seen some countries that are in Africa where crisis has devastated the economy and the people.

We should learn from their mistakes and ensure we resolve all our diff erences and continue as a people. South Sudan that just broke up recently from Sudan is in devastation now. Is that the way we want to go? My generation would not agree because we have not been given the opportunity to utilize our potentials to make the country better. Government should focus on making the lives of its citizens better and ensure that there is accountability for monies budgeted for various purposes.

David Ameh I commend Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo for engaging all stakeholders to ensure that we remain at peace with each other. We should not be seen to discriminate against one another because we are one. As a multiethnic country with diff erent cultures and traditions, it’s advisable we come together from time-totime to discuss issues aff ecting us and allow reason to prevail.

If we start telling people who have lived in a region for centuries to leave, contrary to our laws, it’s unfair. We should promote our strength and diversity rather than our weaknesses and divisions. Nigeria is very big and can contain all of us. We have resources that can go round for everybody to be happy. What I want to advise is that we should ask our leaders how they are spending our money.